Field Schools

The most meaningful instruction emerges when students participate in fieldwork pursued within an active research program, are guaranteed one-on-one time with instructors, and have confidence that pedagogy is a priority. To this end, we encourage our students to participate in academically rigorous social science field schools, such as those offered by the Institute for Field Research (IFR).

In our experience, field schools are life-changing events for students. They combine close work with faculty pursuing research-based, embodied learning in a natural setting beyond the classroom. Students usually spend 5-6 weeks in the field – frequently in remote locations – where they are immersed in an active research program and a community that is often vastly different than their own. Although traditionally the domain of archaeology, field schools in ethnography and conservation are increasingly popular. For students pursuing careers in archaeological anthropology or another field-based science, field schools are the most intensive of internships.

Connecticut College is an academic partner and the school of record for field schools hosted by the Institute for Field Research (IFR), an independent, nonprofit organization created by a group of leading academic archaeologists for the purpose of providing the highest quality of field-based research programs around the world. Each field school confers 8 credit units (12 quarter units) of academic credit by Connecticut College and satisfies two 200- or 300-level courses - including the methods-intensive requirement - for the major in Anthropology.

IFR Field Programs Offered for Connecticut College Credit in 2013 and 2014

ARCH 300A Undocumented Migration Project

ARCH 300C The Unidentified Person Archaeology Project

ARCH 300D Enculturating Environments at the Wind Wolves Reserve

ARCH 315A Chincha Valley Archaeology Project

ARCH 315B Huari Archaeology Project

ARCH 315C Moqi Archaeology Project

ARCH 315D Taraco Archaeology Project

ARCH 315E Vitor Valley Archaeology Project

ARCH 315F Teyuna-Ciudad Perdida Archaeology Project

ARCH 330A Ethnohistorical Archaeology Project

ARCH 330B Panama Sitio Drago Archaeology Project

ARCH 345A Greco-Roman Fayum Archaeology Project

ARCH 345B Spitzkloof Rockshelter B Archaeology Project

ARCH 345C Olduvai Gorge Archaeology Project

ARCH 345D Uganda Ntusi Archaeology Project

ARCH 345E Tunisia Ziti Archaeology Project

ARCH 350A Tel Bet Yerah Archaeology Project

ARCH 350B Boncuklu Archaeology Project

ARCH 350C Heritage, Documentation and Conservation at the City of the Dead, Egypt